Valve gear



rFb. 4, 1930.

F. BUKovE VALVE GEAR Filed Jan. 10, 1925 4 sheets-sheet 1 m l 1li? ATTORN EY F. BU KOVE VALVE GEAR Feb. 4, 1930.

Filed Jan. 1o, 1925 4 sheets-sheet xNvEN-roR rroRNx-:Y

F. BUKOV l .Y .y 17,746,141

VALVE GEAR I Feb. 4, 1930.

5 4 sheets-sneer 5 Filed Jan. l0, 192

GNN

l ATTORNEY F. BUKOVE Feb. 4, 1930.

Filed Jan. l0. 192.5` 4 sheets-sneer 4 l mvEN-roR 's latentecl Feb. 4, 119530 t FRANK BUxovn, or RATON, NEW MEXICO vALvE GEAR AppiicationmeaJanuary io, 1925. serial No. 1,67*?.`

This invention relates to improvements in I v alvegears and has particularrelation to improvements in locomotive valve gears of the Wal'scheart type. f Y i :The primary object of the "present vinvention istoso limprove the construction and operation of Valschert type locomotive valve,y

1 gears, that the lead'of the valve willbe automatically altered ininverse proportionto the variation ofthe out o' by the adjustment of the reversinglever, and will operate in such manner during either forward or -reverse movements of the reversinglever.

. 13. Another `object of they invention is tojover- V f '15 come an errorV4 in the `operation of the valve due to the angularity of the main connectingy A rod, the present invention providing, a uniformlap and lead movementffo'rl the valve.

A further objectfoftheinvention is toprovide a loconiotivevalve gear wlierebyan increasedaccuracy and efficiency of the gearisY obtained,so that the, valve events will occur` during eachcyole ofvalve action in conformity with the proper relative position of the f5 maincrankpin and the stroke of the piston.

'A still further object of the iiivention'isto f` provide Aa locomotive valve gearv whereby an'l economical distribution of steamisobtaineohv .wr and the correctnessof thefadjustments of the gear may be accomplished in a most efficient manner.

With the above `and other objects in view,"

the invention `further includes vthefollowing :novel features and details ofco'nstruction, to "f5 be'hereinafter more fully described,v illustrated in the accompanying drawingsand pointed outY in the appended claims.' In the drawings Figure l is va fragmentaryside elevation partly in section illustrating the application f Aofthe invention. r f i.

Figure 2 isan enlarged fragmentary side Aelevation showing the upper end of the comj bination lap andlead lever and contiguousy f5 parts. K

ure 2. i K

` Figures 3? and 3b are sectional views taken respectively on the lines Sa-Ba and` 33"r of Figure 3. l Y

dead center positions.

Figure 3 isa section on the line 3-,3 of Fig-i dicates the cylinder of a locomotive,

Figure 3 is a detail view showing the crosshead and its connections with the radius rod. Y Figure 4 is a similar view on the line t-t ofFigure2. v

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sec-y 55 tional view taken substantially on the liney 5 5 of Figure l. Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view illustratfy ing in full andl dotted lines the positions of s the combination lap and lead lever with the v piston in mid and dead center positions.

Figure isa diagrammatic view showing ,l the valve gear in forward position.

Figure 8 is a similar view with the gear in y reverse position. j s i i 1 Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view villustrating the position of the tumbler arm-and shift-y ing link at maximum lead front and back dead center positions.

Figure l0 is a1,fragirientaryviewy 7.0V thepo'sition `of the valve at maximum lead" v when the piston is at the limit of its forward stroke. s Y

Figure llista like viewl of the valve at maX- I imum lead .when the piston is at Vthe limit of l. v

its back stroke. l l s Figure l2 is a view similarl to-y Figure-9 Vshowingthe position of the tumbler arm and shiftinolink at 'minimum lead Vfront and back I Y f so Figure 13 Aisfa fragmentary view showing: the position of the valve Aat minimum-lead when the piston is Vat the limit of its forward stroke. j

- Figurelel is a similar 'view showing the85 position of the valve at minimum lead when` the piston is at the limit of its back stroke;

Figure 15is a diagrammaticview illustrating in full and dotted linesthe position of theV center positions. i' i Figure 16 is a, perspective view of the link with one of the link: plates partly broken away and'illustrated at side of the link. s i

Figure 17 is a longitudinal sectional through the, link. l' e.

Referring in detail to the drawings wherein like characters,l of Areference ldenote corresponding partsythe reference character 5 incombination lever and driver wheel at dead l6 the 1004.77*`

valve chamber, 7 a part of the locomotive frame, 8 the crosshead guides and 9 the link supports. The engine piston is indicated at 14 and is connected to the crosshead 15 by the piston rod 13, the crosshead 15 having connected thereto one end of the main connecting rod 16. The opposite end of the rod 16 is mounted upon the main crank pin 17 of the locomotive driving wheel 18.

The reference character 20 indicates a piston type valve which operates within'the valve chamber 6 and which has connectedV tumbler arm 36 to whichis pivotally con-. nected a shifting link 37.

The link 37 has in turn pivotally connected thereto by means oi' a combination ulcrum pin 28, a bearing block 39 which is slidable in a slot 40 provided in one end of an inverted substantially U- shaped arm 49, the latter being carried by and extending from the radius rod crosshead 35. The pivot pin which connects the arm 36 with the link 37 is indicated at 38.

The combination fulcrum pin 28 forms a part of a connection between the link37 and a combination lap and lead lever 24 and or this purpose the upper end of the lap and lead lever is provided with a slot 41 within which Y is mounted a bearing block 27 carried by the pin 28. The combination lap and lead'lever 24 is pivotally secured as indicated at 23 to a valve crosshead 22,'which like the main valve crosshead 35 operates in the crosshead guide 11.' p

The radius rod 33 extends within the link supports-9 where ithas secured thereto an arm 33:L which is spaced from the rod for the reception of a curved oscillating link 32. Located within the link 32 is a link block 42 by a pivot pin 42a. rThe link 32 is mounted t between link plates 44 and the latter are pivotally secured to the link support by trunnions 43. The radius rod is pivotally'connected to one end of a hanger 45 whose opposite end is pivotally secured to an arm 46,

` the latter being fast upon a rocker shaft 12.

The opposite end of this rod is connected byV means ot' a crank pin 29 with the return crankV 30 whose opposite end is secured upon the main crank pin 17.

The combination lap and lead lever 24 is provided with a bend so that its lower end is oset from the longitudinal center of the upper end of the rod, this offset portion being indicated at 24a. The lower end of the combination lever is connected by means of a link 26 with an arm 25 which extends from t'he erosshead 15.

rJ'he ports which provide communication between the engine cylinder 5 and the valve chamber 6 are indicated at 19.

Opera-tion of the piston 14 will through the link 26 and arm 2,5 of the crosshead 15, impart movement to the combination lap and lead lever 24 as will be readily understood. It the lever 24 was straight, the lap and lead movementupon one side or' the vertical positionA of said lever would be greater than the movement upon the opposite side of thev vertical positiono the said lever, due to the angularity of the main connecting rod 16.

This would result `in an error of the operation of the valve.V

This is illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawi ingswhere the distance between the points F. A. and G. A. is greater than the distance between thevpoints F. A. and H. By providing` .the otiset portion 24a in the lever 24 the back half of the stroke is increased las indicated at L, the distance from F to L being equal to the distance between F to G. .They

valve therefore has an equal travel upon opposite sides of its mid position. o

Assuming the circle described by the main crank pin is divided into Jfour equal parts indicated at E, J, K, and O,- (Figure 15). The main crank pin will travel from front dead center K to bottom quarter O, consequently the back end of the main rod 16 has also made one-half throw (measured on main crank pin circle) K to O, yet the front end ofthe main rod 16 which is connected to the crosshead 15 hals1 made more than one-half stroke horizonta y. This is due to the fact that the back end of main rod 16 assumes an angular position from a center line horizontally parallel through the wrist pin of the crosshead 15, with the main pin 17 at top quarter J or bottom quarterV O positions the crosshead 15 is back ot midway positions M. P. The distance indicated between the points M. P. and 15a equals the main rod error and reducesproportionately the eciency of the crosshead movement and creates an error in the valve movement through the combination lever 24.

Assuming that the radius rod 33 and the block 32 are moved to neutral position at N (Figure 15). v1n this position the radius rod and its connections would be stationary and if a rotary motion of the driver 18 is made, and as the main pin 17 occurs at either mid-positions O or J, (Figure 6) so will also occur simultaneously the lap and lead lever 24 and the valve 20 in their respective mid-positions.

it each complete rotation or the driver 18, themain crank pin 17 makes a half stroke 215 through the lap and llead lever 24, and the maining stroke from positions O or J to back` n center E or vice versa. The main rod error indicatedV from M. P. to 15a (Figure 6) being back of mid-position,` the stroke ofthe crossheadl from A15? Ato back center B. C. is shorter and slower than the stroke fromv front 'centerr F. C. to 15 and Vwhen the crosshead is moving betweenV points 15a and B. C. the ac-` celeration of the combination lever isvincreased kdue tothe rise of the leverdescribed giby the GfL; The distance from F tol Lis equal to the swing of Fito G. Thus an equal lap and lead' movement occurs upon opposite" 'sides of midpositiony The reciprocatory mot'on of the crosshead rotary motion of thereturn crank and its vconnections with the radius rod crosshead These eventsoccur at various points of piston' Y the throw or movement ofthe valve may be diminished. By rraisingV the pin 28 and increasing thedistance between this pin and the i pivoty 23 movement of the valve'is increased.

L pin 23, plus the horizontal throw imparted 1 stroke. Y i

. 35, combineto produce a single lessermovement to-the valve 20 and during its cycle of action are periodswhen the valve and the port edges of the ports 1-9 register the eventsof pre-admission,"cutoif, release, and closure.

. The movement of the lower-end ofthe c`om-A bination lap'and lead lever is determined by the stroke of the piston and the crosshead'l.

` Thevmovement of the'ra'dius rod 33 is controlled by the position of the link block 42` within Vthe curvedy linkV 32, the'said link beingI pivotally mounted within the supports9`fand oscillated lby the operation of the driver 13.` Assuming thatl the combination fulcrum pin 23 is positioned ata definite point 'in the slotS' 4() and 41, vtheV movement imparted to thef valve 2O will equal the sum "of the swinging movement of the combination leverl upon the by the link 32'to the radius rod`33 and to the Vmain valve crosshead 35,*the action ofthe crosshead 35 affecting the movement ofthe p combination klever 24 dueY to the` connection betweensaid combination lever and arm 49.

-lever 24 is connected, -for at suchtime the radius rod will be stationary as .will be the yradius rod cross head 35. The'proportion of the parts is such that when the reversing lever is in vertical position, thelink block 42 ywill be held at the center of the link.V V,li/.iovement of the reversing lever in either direction from Athe vertical position' will shift" the block to: ward one end of the link and the latter'being in constant oscillation, movement will be im Y parted tothe-'radius rod proportional to the distance ofthe link block from the center ofv the link, reversal of thereversing lever 'or bottom RA (Figure k15).

fromionejside of the vertical position to the i towardl the opposite endof the link and reverses the reciprocation of the valve withfrespectl to the rpiston so las to reverse the operation of the engine. f

the' distance between the pivot pinsj34 and 28 maybe regulated, the bearing "blocksf27 and 39 being moved relative to the pivotpin 231of .thelever 24. f This is clearly illustrated" in Figures'9` and 12 of the drawings.' The vextended upright arm 36A of the radius rod Vvother Vcauses thelink block 42 tobe shiftedy By changing the position of thel radius rod, l.

33 moves? in an are relative tothepin 34 andl i carries with itthe'lower end of the linkv37 ijoined by the pin 38 and the upper end of said link is bifurcated to receive the block 39 to selectively position the bearing yblocks 2,7 and 39 andthusvary the distance between the pivots 28fand 34.y Such adjustment varies the length of the upper arm of the-:combi-v nation 'leverbetwecn the pivots 23 and23` a'nd leo effects the degree of movement ofthe crosshead 22 by loweringy the pivot pin 28 so that Y* It is Vdesirable to addk to the strokeof the valve in this manner when motion of ,the radius rod is reduced'by the approach ofthe vicelversa. Thisl is effected by means of the '1 adjustmentsjust described..v

1 It is to benotred' that the oscillating curved link 32 isfpivotally mounted vat 43 byvplates 44.* The' length'` of the radius rod 33 isdefined by thatl pe'rtionof the rod between' the pivot 34and the pivot 42a,"thev latter moving on theI arc of the'link 32, and when the piston is at the beginningofa stroke, the prescribed lead of ythe* valve is present,y the saidl'ead Vbeing determined by theV degree of the angle between the combination lever'pivot 23 and the vertical line through the pivotpin 34.

Assume the piston at a dead center position",` the curved'llink will 'assume a vertical position because the return crank pin 29 isfiXed at an angle of ninety degrees from thejmain crank pin 17 This ycausesthe yreturn crank pin toas'sume the midway position at top S v The radiusfrod'33 with v p its block may be moved from one end of the link to the other; no movement is imparted'horizontally at the 'front end of the radius' rod pivot-34. A5136" *Y movement of the radius rod from neutral po- ,the front end of the radius rod 33 at its pivot 34, are prevented from moving vertically to a horizontal line of the valve movement. In fact, the advantages of the invention are accomplished in a manner contrary to the lmeth- .ods `employed in the usual type of valve gears.

rIhe invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly .fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention what is claimed 1s:- l

l. In a valve gear, the combination ot a valve and its rod, a piston and its crosshead, K

ya combination lever having a fulcrum, a radius rod, a crosshead supporting one end of the radius rod, a crosshead supporting a combination lever, a pivotal connection between the combination lever connected crosshead and combination leverand adjustable means operatively connecting the radius rod-connected crosshead and combination lever connected crosshead `to vary the degreeof horizontal reciprocation of the combination lever connected crosshead relative to the horizontal reciprocation of the radius rod Vconnected crosshead to yielda varied lead for the valve relative to the symmetrical position of the reversing lever.

2. In a valve gear, the combination of a valve and its rod, a piston and its crosshead, a combination lever, a radius rod, a crosshead connected to one end of the radius rod, Va pivotal connection between the radius rod and said crosshead, a crosshead connected to the valve rod, means including a pivotal connection between the radius rod connected cros. head and the combination lever, and means whereby the-pivotal connection between the radius rod connected crosshead and the combination lever may be adjusted with the radius rod relative to the pivotal connection of the combination lever connected crosshead to automatically vary the degree'of horizontal reciprocation of the combination lever connected crosshead relative to the horizontal combination lever connected crosshead and combination'lever and means controlled by the radius rod and operatively associating Vthe radius rod connected crosshead and combination lever to automatically vary the degree of horizontal reciprocation of the combination lever connected crosshead relative to the horizontal reciprocation of the radius rod connected crosshead to yield a varied lead for the valve relative to the symmetrical position of the reversing lever. s I

4. In avalve gear, the combination of a valve and its rod, a. piston and its crosshead, a combination lever, a radius rod, a crosshead supporting one end of the radius rod, a crosshead connected to the valve rod, said crosshead supporting a combination lever, a pivotal connection between the combination lever connected crosshead and the combinationY lever, an arm extending from the radius rod a link having one end pivotally secured to the arm, a sliding pivotal connection between the radius rod connected crosshead and the combination lever forming a ulcrum for said lever, and a pivotal connection between said sliding connection and link to automatically regulate the lead of the valve by adjustment of the radius rod. Y

5. In a valve gear, the combination with l,a valve and its rod, a piston and its crosshead, acombination lever having a sliding pivotal connectionV at one end thereof, a radius rod, a crosshead connected to the radius rod, an upwardly disposed inverted substantially U- shaped slotted arm extending from the radius rod connected crosshead, a crosshead connected to the valve rod, bearing blocks slidable in the-slots of the U-shaped arm and combination lever, a pivot pin connecting said blocks, an arm extending from the radius rod and a link having one end pivotally-connected to the U-shaped arm bearing block to provide a toggle joint connection between the radius rodand combination lever for adjustthe fulcrum to regulate the lead of the valve.

6. In a valve gear, the combination with a valve and its rod, a piston and its crosshead, j

a combination lever having a crosshead, a radius rod, a 'crosshead connected to one end of the radius rod, an upwardly disposed inverted substantially U-shaped arm extending from the radius rod connected crosshead, a crosshead connected to the valve rod and movable relatively of the radius rod crosshead, a substantial bracket having guides thereof for said crossheads, a pivotal connection between the combination lever connected crosshead and combination lever, bearing blocks slidable in the slots of the U-shaped arm and combination lever, a pivot pin connectingV said blocks, an arm extending from the radius rod and a link having'. one end pivotally secured tothe radius rod arm and its opposite end pvotally -connected to theY U-shapedfarm bearing block toprovide a Jcoggle joint adjustment vbetween the vradius rod and combi# nation' lever for adjusting the fulcrum tov regulate the lead of ther valve.

In testimony whereof I afX my signature.

v g FRANK BUKOVE.

mi"Y 

